An overcast and thunder storm-threatened Day Two actually turned out to be a(nother) beautiful day, once again proving that only in Montana can you be a weatherman, be 100% wrong all of the time and still retain your job!
The spotlight of the day was stolen by 8 year old Joe “Atta Boy” O’Dea featured prominently above, first during his boat report where he proudly announced that he hooked, landed and then released his very first guide-unassisted fish, a 15” “fish”, which brought out an initial smile in his Cal sweater which quickly broadened into his most infectious grin when he was awarded a Yellow Hat for his manly achievement---atta boy, Joe!! The other limelight was shared with Shreveport, Louisiana’s Dick “Andros” Seale who caught the only 20 incher of the day, bestowing upon him the second Yellow Hat of the day—both hatters hugging above before communing privately far away from the other, lesser Threes—including Joe’s dad (shown above pre-yellow hat festoonment).
If only Mz. Lori were here from the Tattoos to hear the bemoaning of Jim “Wildman” Hendrickson of the (several) big fish that got away from him once hooked on the Blackfoot—a bull trout, a brown and one that the never even got a look at…leaving fishing partner Maria King the big stick of the day on their boat and this only her second day of fly fishing, ever. In the same sad state of affairs was the SS. Mc Adams who shared his boat with former FWP head Jeff Hagener who nonetheless praised the day’s bamboo rod fishing of dry flies. MWF pres Tim “Four More Years” Aldrich likewise praised his lunch and fishing partner “Joe the Jet” Perry on his second day of boat fishing—neither fell out of the boat, it seems although pre Tim accused farmer Joe of becoming an underwater logger, so replete were the number of rigs that, together, they lost to the wood.
Better stories were told of the SS O’Malley where Cindy, likewise on her second day ever of fishing, out fished Madman on the “Blackfork” and by The Donald Buresh who fished while talking (incessantly, according to The Ghost) with Demetry “The Ghost” Kondrasheff on the Bitterroot, yielding a 22 fish day with a gaggle of 16 and 17 inchers. It seem, however, that The Donald may be allergic to bamboo, for in spite of a perfect dry fly day, The D chose to leave his bamboo sheathed in its maroon cover choosing, as an alternative, a far lesser rod with corresponding results! Tut, tut, tut, The Donald! “Napa Mark” Grassi spoke of another great day with his partner “Tom Tom” Brumfield on the Root, netting over 20 fish in the 18-19” category. Lesser Bitterroot success, but no lesser fun, was had by co-docs Jeff Georgia and Mike Dixon, each still in want of their Montana nicknames but nonetheless pleased with their dancing with eagles and wade fishing with bamboo.
Wrapping up the Day Two report were son “Lefty” Tyler and daughter “Boots” Trina who took Ma’am on another ride down the Root (until she decided to bail out a few miles early, that is) who spoke of a 24 fish day (yes, gang, my kids can fish!!), by Bill “Incumbent” Dodd who had “another fantastic day” fishing with bride Mary on the Root and by our big boat of the day captained by Propaneless himself, where mascot Buddy oversaw Chris “Babe” Richards watching “Andros” Seale’s “beautiful casting” and his landing of a 20” Yellow Hat winning cuttbow.
Oops, we did have my elder son Brian and his three wonderful issue (along with beauty of a bride Erin) floating the Blackfoot, but rodless and in inner tubes, but with no less of smiles on their faces.
All in all, Day Two was a great one for Dem Threes who as of this writing ore on the water for their third and final day (“Napa Mark” has already emailed me pics of two gorgeous 19” rainbows caught pre-noon this Day Three!
Best to all from the scene of it all,
Rock Creek Ron
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